EXCLUSIVE: Ivory Coast’s Fae Issues Warning to Germany and Discusses Selection Dilemma

The Elephants will kick off their tournament journey against Ecuador, followed by a match against the four-time world champions in their second group fixture at Toronto’s BMO Field, as they look to make a significant impact in the competition.

The two nations have only met once at the senior level, where Lukas Podolski netted a brace, leading to a 2-2 draw in a friendly in Stuttgart on November 18, 2009.

Encouraged by impressive victories in March over South Korea and Scotland, the former CAF Coach of the Year is convinced that his side is peaking at the right moment.

“In terms of our strategy, I don’t want the team to adopt a defensive mindset and play too safely,” remarked the 42-year-old.

“That’s not in line with my philosophy. I’m not intimidated by any opponent, including Germany. I want us to play confidently, push forward, and strive to score goals instead of merely defending and waiting for counter-attacks.”

In the lead-up to the contest, Germany is in excellent form, having secured victories in their last seven matches across all competitions.

Fae Reflects on Lessons from South Korea and Scotland Matches

Following March’s international friendlies in England, Fae and his players faced substantial criticism due to a lacklustre performance at the Africa Cup of Nations 2025. Nevertheless, the Elephants bounced back with strong displays against World Cup-bound rivals, blending attacking flair with enhanced defensive discipline.

Reflecting on these matches, Fae noted that the primary goal was to achieve a harmonious balance between defence and attack.

He acknowledged that selecting the final squad will be a challenging endeavour, with numerous players having stepped up and proven their worth.

“The crucial takeaway from those two encounters is that we can be formidable in both defence and attack,” he stated.

“In the World Cup qualifiers, we were solid defensively but struggled to find the net. At AFCON in Morocco, it was easier to score, yet we conceded too many goals.

“Thus, our aim in these recent matches was to achieve a balance, ensuring we are just as solid in defence as we are in attack, and I believe we have done that.”

“A lot hinges on team spirit, and once again, that spirit was commendable. Winning these two matches has certainly lifted our confidence, but it complicates selection, as many players have demonstrated they deserve a spot in the 26-man World Cup squad.”

Fae added: “We now have a robust squad. In our last two matches, we kept two clean sheets, which is very significant for us.”

“Post-AFCON, I sensed we were scoring plenty of goals yet also conceding far too many. It was essential for us to enhance our defensive qualities, and I’m very pleased with the team’s response.”

“We have many players who deserve to participate in the World Cup, but we can only pick 26, making the decision a challenging one for the technical team.”

“However, it’s preferable to face such challenges than to have difficulties in finding quality players. This highlights the strength and depth we possess in our squad.”

Fae Highlights Kessie’s Importance for Ivory Coast

Coach Fae has defended his ongoing faith in Franck Kessie, underlining that the midfielder’s experience is vital for Ivory Coast.

Some commentators have raised concerns about the coach’s reliance on the former AC Milan and FC Barcelona man, questioning his speed. However, Fae asserts that Kessie’s worth transcends mere physical attributes, emphasising that the Al Ahli midfielder is integral to the squad—both as captain and a vital leader.

“Experience is undoubtedly essential. When a player reaches 29 or 30, that should not be perceived as a drawback,” Fae stated.

“It’s impossible to win the World Cup with solely young talent. If you examine successful squads like France or Brazil, they consistently incorporate a blend of youth and experience. So, I fail to see why age should be viewed negatively.”

When discussing his aspirations for the global tournament, he remarked: “For some time now, especially after observing our performance in Ivory Coast (AFCON 2023), I’ve believed that African teams should hold more belief in their abilities, as they possess the quality to achieve greatness.”

“I genuinely believe Ivory Coast is capable of embarking on a remarkable journey. We will enter the tournament aiming to win every match, taking it one step at a time, and pushing as far as we can. Why not set our sights on the final?”

Before competing in the FIFA World Cup 2026, the Ivory Coast national football team is scheduled to face two-time world champions France in an international friendly on June 4 in Nantes.